Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions

"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a daily International Trade Today compilation of the most relevant legislation, hearings, and actions by Congress involving international trade. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions:

Senate Passes Iran Sanctions Bill

On January 28, 2010, the Senate passed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act (S. 2799), to expand the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, to provide for the divestment of assets in Iran by State and local governments and other entities, to identify locations of concern with respect to transshipment, reexportation, or diversion of certain sensitive items to Iran.

Bill to Ban Highly Enriched Uranium Exports Reported in Senate

On January 28, 2010, H.R. 3276, a bill to promote the production of molybdenum-99 in the U.S. for medical isotope production, and to condition and phase out the export of highly enriched uranium for the production of medical isotopes was reported. (S. Rept. No. 111-120).

Bill Introduced in Senate to Extend Haiti Trade Provisions, Etc.

On January 28, 2010, Senators Dodd (D) and Lugar (R) introduced legislation to speed recovery efforts in post-earthquake Haiti. The legislation focuses on three areas important to rebuilding Haiti - debt relief, infrastructure, and trade. In the area of trade, the bill would extend the deadline of currently enacted trade provisions for Haiti, helping to foster investment in Haiti and increase trade between the U.S. and Haiti.

NY Sen Warns of Impact of Drawback Rules, Canadian Taxes on Wine

On January 27, 2010, Senator Schumer announced he is urging the Treasury Department and the Department of Homeland Security to withdraw their October 15, 2009 proposed rules on substitution drawback as they would greatly hurt New York wineries. Senator Schumer also met with the U.S. Trade Representative regarding the disadvantage facing New York's wine industry due to Canadian border tax policies which ensure that virtually no Canadian tourists will want to buy NY wine.

Sen Finance Chair Comments on Trade Agenda in President's Speech

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D) has issued a statement supporting the President's commitment to the U.S. trade agenda in his State of the Union address and urging him to move forward quickly on a positive trade agenda.

Sen Commerce Chair Supportive of DOT Reg on Distracted Driving

Senator Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued a statement regarding the latest in a series of actions the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken to curb texting by drivers of commercial vehicles, such as large trucks and buses.

Trade-Related Bill Introduced on January 28, 2010

On January 28, 2010, the following trade-related bill was introduced:

Any "Capitol Hill Trade Action" warranting more in-depth coverage will be summarized individually in a future issue of International Trade Today.